Playboy Playmate Discloses Fight With Scleroderma, a Disfiguring Disease; June is Scleroderma Awareness Month.

Business Editors and Health/Medical Writers

DANVERS, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--June 6, 2000

Playboy Playmate Tylyn John today disclosed that she has been diagnosed with scleroderma, a potentially disfiguring and life-threatening autoimmune disease.

John joins a group of about 300,000 Americans who are suffering from scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis. In its most severe form, the disease attacks skin and internal organs including the heart, lungs and kidneys. More than 80 percent of sufferers are women between the ages of 25 and 55 years old.

Scleroderma attacks the body's connective tissue and is associated with the over-production of collagen, the fibrous substance that makes up most of the protein in connective tissue. "Ironically, collagen is a substance physicians inject to create firmer, more youthful-looking skin," says Peter Giusti, executive director of the Scleroderma Foundation, headquartered in Danvers, MA. "With scleroderma, there's too much of a good thing."

Although John Playboy's Miss March 1992 was diagnosed with the disease in late 1999, it took years for a proper diagnosis. "After my son was born, I felt very tired and weak," she said. "It didn't let up, so I suspected my problem was more than that experienced by all new mothers." She went to five doctors - specialists from endocrinologists to gynecologists - but no one was able to pinpoint what was happening. Finally, a team of doctors from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) confirmed that she was suffering from scleroderma.

"Far too few people know about scleroderma," says John. "Ignorance can be more devastating than the pain many patients endure. This is a disease that has many forms, with people often suffering in silence. I hope to put a face behind the disease."

John joins Jason Alexander, best known for his role as "George" on the hit NBC-TV series "Seinfeld," as the national spokesperson for the Scleroderma Foundation. Alexander's sister, Karen Van Horne, has suffered from the disease for the past six years.

The Scleroderma Foundation and John chose June, Scleroderma Awareness Month, to announce that they are working together to increase awareness of the disease and to help raise funding for research.

Giusti said researchers are optimistic they will find a cure for scleroderma if research efforts are expanded. "As we find more clues for this disease, other connective tissue diseases also will benefit," he said.

John, who lives with her husband Lou and son Anthony in Los Angeles, CA, says Playboy Enterprises Inc. has been very supportive of the venture. "We are proud of Tylyn's participation with the Foundation in the fight against scleroderma. It's a devastating disease and we're hoping that her involvement will help to bring it to the forefront," said Cindy Rakowitz, vice president, public relations, Playboy Enterprises.

According to the Scleroderma Foundation, a common first symptom of scleroderma is Raynaud's phenomenon, in which fingertips and feet overreact to cold or stress by changing color (blue, white, then red). About 95 percent of scleroderma patients have Raynaud's phenomenon. Other symptoms of scleroderma may include:

--Thickening of the skin

--Shortness of breath

--Trouble swallowing

--Stiffness of the hands

--Joint or bone pain

"Scleroderma symptoms may mimic other disorders, and they vary from person to person," noted Giusti. "Physicians, often rheumatologists, evaluate several factors before making a positive diagnosis of systemic sclerosis."

"Localized" scleroderma is relatively mild and does not affect internal organs. This may be characterized by waxy or hard patches on the skin of varying sizes, shapes and coloration (morphea). Linear scleroderma is another subset of the localized disease, which frequently starts as a streak or line of hardened waxy skin on an arm or leg or on the forehead. The growth of limbs also may be affected. Often, dermatologists are the specialists who first pinpoint this disorder.

The Scleroderma Foundation

The Scleroderma Foundation provides patient and family support, promotes public education and supports scientific research leading to better treatments and a cure. The Foundation has a network of 103 chapters and support groups throughout the United States.

For more information about scleroderma or Scleroderma Awareness Month activities, contact the Scleroderma Foundation, 89 Newbury St., Suite 201, Danvers, MA, 01923, 1-800-722-HOPE (4673), www.scleroderma.org.